Algebra Touch introduces a new paradigm to learning algebra, one that caters to visual, physical, and logical learners. They accomplish this using the touch screen interface, where learners can tap, drag, expand, and collapse different parts of the equation to help solve it. In other words, you follow the steps of solving a particular algebraic equation through tapping the mathematical symbol, and the app will perform the basic math until the variable is isolated and the problem solved.
The app is divided into three different sections:
Explain - This section contains interactive tutorials for over 20 different algebraic concepts.
Practice - This section contains randomly generated problems.
My Problems - This section allows you to create and then solve your own problem sets.
Benefits of Tool or App
Algebra Touch is a great app to help learn algebraic concepts. It empowers learners to:
Engage in the content in a way that is more creative, visual, and hands-on that standard classroom instruction.
Learn algebraic concepts at their own pace.
Solidify and strengthen understanding through completing practice problems.
Use an interface that is much more fun and convenient than carrying around a textbook, calculator, and scratch paper.
Constraints of Tool or App
Here are some constraints inherent to Algebra Touch:
Content - The app only covers basic algebra. For pre-algebra, learners would need more detailed instruction, and the app only contains one section to cover advanced algebra.
Cost - The app is not free, costing $1.99 per learner.
Learning Style - There is no auditory instruction that goes along with the tutorials, meaning the app may not work as well with aural or verbal learners.
Gamification - The app does not contain gaming elements, such as points/scoring, badges, etc.
Original Artifact of Tool or App (by someone in your house)
Here is a screen shot of a Problem Set that created in Algebra Touch:
Here is a screen shot showing the first problem on the list using Algebra Touch:
And here is a screen shot solving the first problem in the list using Algebra Touch:
IDEAS for Tool or App
Student
Algebra Touch is an excellent way for a student to learn Algebra in an non-traditional way. I myself am taking a statistics course, which requires dusting off some of my algebra knowledge. Algebra Touch has been a great visual way for me to brush up on topics such as order of operations.
Teacher
If a teacher has a projector and/or an Apple TV, Algebra Touch would make a great visual aid for teaching algebra in the classroom. They would be able to explain the techniques, and then visually walk through how to solve the problems, projecting their progress in front of the entire class.
Description of Tool or App
Algebra Touch
(available on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, $1.99)Algebra Touch introduces a new paradigm to learning algebra, one that caters to visual, physical, and logical learners. They accomplish this using the touch screen interface, where learners can tap, drag, expand, and collapse different parts of the equation to help solve it. In other words, you follow the steps of solving a particular algebraic equation through tapping the mathematical symbol, and the app will perform the basic math until the variable is isolated and the problem solved.
The app is divided into three different sections:
Benefits of Tool or App
Algebra Touch is a great app to help learn algebraic concepts. It empowers learners to:
Constraints of Tool or App
Here are some constraints inherent to Algebra Touch:
How To Use Tool or App
Here is a how-to video that I recorded, using the Reflector app, Camtasia screen capture, and Screencast for hosting:
The direct link to the video is as follows:
http://www.screencast.com/t/hS5HYNYHu6nm
Original Artifact of Tool or App (by someone in your house)
Here is a screen shot of a Problem Set that created in Algebra Touch:Here is a screen shot showing the first problem on the list using Algebra Touch:
And here is a screen shot solving the first problem in the list using Algebra Touch:
IDEAS for Tool or App
Student
Algebra Touch is an excellent way for a student to learn Algebra in an non-traditional way. I myself am taking a statistics course, which requires dusting off some of my algebra knowledge. Algebra Touch has been a great visual way for me to brush up on topics such as order of operations.Teacher
If a teacher has a projector and/or an Apple TV, Algebra Touch would make a great visual aid for teaching algebra in the classroom. They would be able to explain the techniques, and then visually walk through how to solve the problems, projecting their progress in front of the entire class.